A Chinese businessman has been allowed to leave Spain after being accused of groping a hotel worker during the NATO summit in Sevilla last week.
The mystery suspect had been attending the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which was being held in the Andalucian capital.
He was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a hotel employee, sources close to the investigation told El Correo.
The alleged incident took place at a hotel hosting foreign delegates during the summit, which drew high-level political and business figures from around the world.
The businessman, whose identity has not been disclosed, appeared before Sevilla’s Investigating Court No. 7 last Wednesday and was released on provision.
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A restraining order was issued, prohibiting contact with the alleged victim.
According to judicial sources, the businessman denied any wrongdoing and refused a plea deal offered during his court appearance.
The complaint stems from an alleged incident in which the hotel worker reported being touched inappropriately.
She later filed a formal complaint with police. A witness present at the court said the hearing caused ‘a major stir.’
Although released, the businessman was permitted to leave the country. The case now appears to face complications due to the suspect’s departure from Spain, judicial sources noted.
The summit, held from June 30 to July 4, saw nearly 8,000 officers deployed across the city to safeguard representatives from over 60 delegations.
Aside from traffic congestion during the opening days, there were few notable security incidents until police were forced to carry out a controlled explosion of an abandoned backpack near the accreditation tent.
The unattended item prompted a brief evacuation of the area as a precaution. No further threats were detected.
Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.
